The winner will receive:

•  Enrolment in an internationally recognised 10-week turf management remote study course at the University of Massachusetts' Winter School 
• A one-week work placement at a UK or overseas golf course
• An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing

 

• What is the Winter School for Turf Managers?

The runner-up will receive:

• A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights' accommodation, travel and £125 expenses
• An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing
• A Toro training course voucher

The endorser of the winner will receive:

• A trip to BTME with a two-day conference pass and a night in a Harrogate hotel
• An invitation to the BIGGA Celebration to recognise the achievements of members throughout the year, followed by a valuable networking event with Reesink Turfcare and Toro
• A profile in Greenkeeper International

The winner will receive:

• An all-expenses paid trip to the USA to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing
• A one-week work experience at a UK or overseas golf course
• A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including four days of education, five nights' accommodation, travel and £125 expenses
• A Toro training course voucher

The runner-up will receive:

• A trip to Continue to Learn at BTME, including two days of education, three nights' accommodation, travel and £75 expenses
• A Toro training course voucher

The endorser of the winner will receive:

• A trip to BTME with a two-day conference pass and a night in a Harrogate hotel
• An invitation to the BIGGA Celebration to recognise the achievements of members throughout the year, followed by a valuable networking event with Reesink Turfcare and Toro
• A profile in Greenkeeper International

How have things changed since winning the 2023 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award?

It’s been incredibly busy and so much has changed! Shortly after winning the award, I sat down with my course manager and club secretary and a first assistant position was created in recognition of my achievement. The change in role allowed me to work more closely with my course manager and undertake additional responsibilities, allowing me to keep building my knowledge base.

And how are things now?

A few months down the line and a position came up as deputy head greenkeeper at Poulton Park Golf Club in Warrington. Although less established than Ormskirk, having only been built in 1978, there were learning opportunities which I thought would be hugely important going forward to build my overall greenkeeping understanding.

For example, management of sand-based greens compared to clay push ups and how maintenance/disease/pest management differs between the two; the club has a full Toro fleet with most machinery being second-hand therefore there is a major focus on preventative maintenance, which is quickly building my mechanical knowledge. The club also recently invested in a set of Bernhard grinders (a skill which I was keen to develop but hadn’t had the opportunity to).

Ben [Allen], my course manager, writes a blog every couple of months to update members regarding ongoing works. Being able to read this on the course website prior to applying, I was able to clearly see the dedication to surface refinement through greenkeeping practices like fairway scarification, rough harrowing and targeted granular feeding programme. It’s been great having such a full involvement with these during my first six months.

And of course, the position came with additional obligations which has enabled me to be fully involved things like winter project planning, budgeting, training of staff and responsibility for the course in Ben’s absence. 

How do you think winning the Student Awards helped with this move?

One of the opportunities for winning the award is a 10-week turf management remote study course ‘The Winter Turf School’ at the University of Massachusetts. I’d completed this from January to March 2024, just prior to my interview at Poulton Park. It was an incredible learning opportunity that I was able to discuss at interview and I think the panel were impressed and interested that I could bring all that knowledge and experience to the club to implement.

Can you tell us a bit more about the student awards process?

Following the application process there were the regional interviews and those selected went on to the national finals. The finals involved an agronomy examination, grass and seed identification, planning a major winter project, and personal and professional interviews.

And what about the rest of the prize?

As well as enrolment at Turf School, I was taken to America to visit Toro HQ, R&D and manufacturing (Minnesota and Wisconsin). I had knowledge of The Toro Company but seeing the headquarters and production factories in person and gaining understanding of the immense operation involved, was quite difficult to comprehend. It’s clear how the company is a family with each brand in line with their values.

Whether human or robotically controlled stations, the manufacturing, regular inspections and stringent testing produces products that customers can be confident in and rely upon to produce the highest quality result, it was incredible to see behind the scenes. 

Did you get a glimpse into the future? Is there anything you can share with us?

For clubs without a mechanic, like mine, it is clear to see how the advancement in technology around virtual reality and the opportunity to see a machine in real time from other locations will increase the efficiency of problem identification and lead to quicker rectification. Toro demonstrated how this is a possibility by showing us around and under a machine via VR and a headset.

How was the visit to Town and Country Golf Club?

From an agronomic point of view, the visit capped the week off in the perfect way. The facilities provided for the team in the maintenance area showed exactly why the golf course could be displayed how it was. Even with some major renovations ongoing, everything had its place, and everyone knew their responsibility. It was a privilege to visit and I’d love to return in the future.

Do you have any advice for those considering applying for the student awards in future?

Don’t hesitate. Regardless of whether you win the award, simply applying shows to current and future employers your interest in continuously professionally developing. Moreover, you network with people who have the same passion and dedication to their professional development as you. This can be an inspiration and platform to progress to where you want to be. 

1. Applications are welcomed from all student greenkeeper candidates actively working towards their qualification at the time of application. Eligible qualifications are:

• Level 2 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper/SVQ Level 2 Sports Turf
• Level 3 Work-based Diploma - Greenkeeper/SVQ Level 3 Sports Turf Management

2. All applications must be made through the online application facility.

3. All applicants must provide contact details of their nominated person endorsing their application.

4. Applicants must be student greenkeepers working as a golf greenkeeper.

5. Applicants must be employed or resident in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.

6. If you are studying for your Level 2 qualification and are 21 years or younger at the time of the closing date, you will be considered for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year.

7. Any applicant who was a national finalist in the Toro Student Greenkeeper or Young Greenkeeper of the Year Award 2023 may not be eligible to enter the 2024 awards.

8. Any applicant who has entered the award for two consecutive years and has not been selected for the national final is not eligible to enter the 2024 awards.

9. Candidates who have taken part in the finals are no longer eligible to apply for the same award. Candidates who have taken part in the finals for the Young award are eligible to apply for the main award once they are over 21 years of age.

10. The deadline for entries is Friday 12 April 2024.

11. Each application will be judged on its own merits, regardless of membership status, position or place of work.

12. A shortlist will be drawn up and those applicants will be invited to attend an interview held via Zoom which will be held held in May 2024.  Regional interviews will not take place outside of these dates so please ensure you will be available.

13. Selected finalists will be invited to attend the national final to be held Monday 2-Tuesday 3 September 2024 at Oulton Hall in Leeds, with all expenses met by the sponsors.

14. One winner and one runner-up will be selected for each of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards.

15. Winning students will be expected to attend or complete all aspects of the prizes. Failure to attend educational classes may result in the students golf club being invoiced for the cost of the education.

16. Prizes must be taken in the timescales given by the award sponsors and may not be deferred or delayed.

The data collected from your application form will be used for administrating the current awards. Your details and information will be viewed by the event organisers and sponsors: BIGGA, Reesink Turfcare and The Toro Company.

Your name and photograph will be published online and in promotional materials if you are a finalist in the awards and if you are the winner or runner up.

If you did not make it to the finals, your data will will be disposed of after six months.